Ice-can carrier



Apnl 26 1927 G. B. BRIGHT ETYAL ICE CAN CARRIER Fiied Aug.y 21. 1922 EGB.

Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE 2B. BRIGHT AND RALPH N. COLE, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO GEORGE IB. :BRIGHT CO.. OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ron-CAN CARRIER.

Application led August 21, 1922. Serial No. 583,332.

The invention relates to the manufacture of articial ice and has for itsr object the facilitating of the manipulation of the apparatus and economy in the space required.

In the present state of the art it is usual to freeze ice in individual ice cans which are placed in rows in the brine tank. In removing and replacing these cans it is necessary to attach the same individually to the hoisting apparatus and where a plurality of cans are lifted and transported simultaneously, there is danger of knocking against each other with the resulting injury. Furthermore, to permit of individually engaging the cans, a certain amount of clearance between the same is required. The greater this clearance space the smaller the number of cans which may be placed within a given area and therefore any construction by which this clearance may be reduced will increase the output of the plant per unit area of space.v

Ice cans as usually constructed are formed from galvanized sheet iron or steel and are generally of oblong shape and substantially rectangular cross section. The upper end is reinforced by a surrounding ring riveted or otherwise secured to the sheet metal and also serving as a means for engagement with the lifting dog. It is customary to simultaneously lift and transport a plurality of these cans, but inasmuch as the cans must be replaced from time to time, it is desirable to make the same independent of each other.

The improved construction forming the subject matter of the present application is one in which the clearance space between individual cans is considerably reduced. Also the construction facilitates and eXpedites the lifting and transporting of the cans and holds the same in fixed relation during such movement so as to avoid the knocking against each other. Moreover, the individual cans are preferably freely detachable from each other .so that any one may be replaced independent of the others.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a multiple can unit of the improved construction;

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view.

Our improvement consists essentially in a multiple can unit in which the individual cans are placed closer to each other than is possible where they are separately engaged with the lifting and transporting means. This unit preferably comprises a lifting frame or basket in which a plurality of individual cans are placed and are temporarily held in Xed relation to each other, said basket being provided with means for engaging the lifting mechanism independently of the cans. As specifically shown, A are the individual ice cans of usual construction. B is a carrier frame or basket comprising the uprights C and C spaced from each other so as to receive an even number of cans therebetween with a minimum of clearance between individual cans. The lower ends of these uprights are connected to cross bars D, which in turn support longitudinal bars E, preferably of angle cross-section. The horizontal flanges E of these longitudinal bars form ledges on which the lower ends of the ice cans rest, while the vertical flanges form retainers for holding the cans from lateral displacement. F are diagonal braces extending from the uprights to the cross bars D. Gr are cross bars attached near the upper ends of the uprights and H is an annular frame secured to said cross bars, which is adapted to surround the series of cans at the upper end thereof. The uprights C and C extend slightly above the tops of the cans and are provided with eyes I for engaging the lifting dogs. 1

With the construction described a plurality of individual ice cans of usual construction may be quickly engaged with the basket B (the drawings showing a series of these cans) and when thus engaged, such cans form a single unit. By reason'of the fact that the engagement of the lifting dogs is with the portions of the uprights above the tops of the cans, the clearance space bef tween individual cans is very considerably reduced. This not only has the advantage of economizing space, but also facilitates the freezing operation, for it has been found that with the reduced clearance and the consequent smaller quantity of brine between the cans, less power is required in circulating the brine. Another important advantage of the construction is that the time required for discharging and replacing the cans is considerably reduced, first, by facilitating attachment to the lifting hoist, and, second, by holding the individual cans in fixed relation so that they may be transported at greater speed withoutv danger of injury. It will be also understood that the cans remain in engagement with the basket during the whole series of operations, including` the immersing in the hot well, dumping to discharge the ice cakes and refilling of the cans.

lVhat we claim as our invention is:

1. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket having means for carrying said cans comprising an upright adapted to pass between adjacent cans, a horizontally extending aimulai member secured to the upper end of said upright for embracing Vthe cans, and a horizontally extending member also secured to said uprights affording support for the lower ends of the cans.

2. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans comprising an upright adapted to pass between adjacent individual cans, a horizntally extending member secured to the lower end of said upright for affording support to said cans, and an annular member secured to the upper end of said upright for surrounding and retaining the cans.

In an ice freezing apparatus, the coinbination with a plu 'ality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans comprising a plurality of uprights spaced from each other to receive a predetermined number of cans therebetween with a limited clearance between individual cans, said uprights also passing between adjacent cans, a horizontally extending member secured to the lower ends of said uprights, affording support for the cans, and an annular meinber secured to the upper ends of said uprights for surrounding and retaining the cans.

4. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans comprising a plurality of uprights formed of flat bars spaced from each other to receive a predetermined number of ice cans therebetween with a limited clearance between individual cans, said uprights also passing between adjacent cans, horizontal bars se cured to the lower ends of said uprights, affording support for said cans, and an an nular member' secured to the upper ends of said uprights surrounding and retaining said cans.

5. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans comprising an upright for passing between adjacent cans, a cross bar connected tothe lower end of said upright, a. frame secured to said cross bar affording support for the cans, and an annular frame at the upper end of said upright for surrounding and retaining the cans.

(il In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans comprising an upright for extending between adjacent cans, a cross bar connected to the upper end of said upright, a diagonal brace connecting the end of said cross bar with said upright, a horizontal frame secured to said c ross bar and affording support for the cans, and an'annular frame secured to the upper end of said upright for surrounding the cans.

7. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans in fixed relation to each other comprising an upright adapted to pass between adjacent individual cans, a member secured to said upright at the lower end thereof for afl'ording support to said cans, and a member secured to said upright at the upper end thereof, for surrounding and retaining the cans.

8. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket having means carrying said cans in fixed relation to each other, said basket including a plurality of cross bars, uprights connected to said cross bars, longitudinal bars connected to said cross. bars for supporting said cans, bars connected to said uprights at the upper ends thereof, and frames secured to the last-mentioned bars and surrounding said cans, certain of said uprights projecting above said cans and having eyes for engagement by lifting dogs.

9. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of aV basket having means carrying said cans in fixed relation to each other, said basket including a plurality of cross bars, uprights connected to said cross bars, and longitudinal bars supported on said cross bars and having flanges supporting said cans.

10. In an ice freezing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans in fixed relation to each other, said basket including a plurality of cross bars, uprights connected to said cross bars, longitudinal bars supported on said cross bars and supporting said cans, and braces extending'between said uprights and` cross bars.

1l. In an ice freezing apparatus,l the` combination with a plurality of individual ice cans, of a basket for carrying said cans in jecting above said can and baiting eyes for xed relation to each other, Said basket inengagement by lifting dogs. cluding a plurality of cross bars, uprights In testimony whereof `We affix our signa- 10 connected to said cross bars and extending tures.

5 between said cans, and longitudinal bars v supported on said cross bars and support- GEORGE B. BRIGHT. ing said cans, certain of said uprights pro- RALPH N. COLE. 

